e-Bulletin December 2025

Aerobic Exercise Shown to Ease Depression in People with Chronic Illnesses
Research Shows that Around 19 Minutes of Moderate Daily Activity Can Make a Difference

A recent study led by Professor Parco Siu, our Professor and Head of Division of Kinesiology, examined how different amounts of aerobic exercise can help reduce depression in people with long-term illnesses. Researchers found a dose-response relationship and established that about 405 MET-minutes* of aerobic exercise per week—roughly 19 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking at a normal pace, daily—can significantly alleviate depressive symptoms. Notably, this threshold is lower than the current global recommendation of 450 MET-minutes per week, indicating that lesser amounts of aerobic exercise can be beneficial. The findings suggest that minimal amounts of aerobic exercise, even at levels below global recommendations, are an effective strategy for managing depression in patients with chronic health conditions.

The findings have now been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Click here to view the publication.

* MET stands for Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) and is a way to measure the intensity of physical activities.